This program strengthens the individual efforts of our member groups to protect the Sierra’s special places, wildlife, resources, and communities
Keeping our member groups and allies abreast of issues, successful strategies and resources important to Sierra conservation efforts.
The Alliance produces three electronic news bulletins:
Sierra Nevada Alliance Weekly. This weekly bulletin provides the latest news articles on Sierra conservation related issues, events and notices. This helps groups stay up on issues and opportunities from around the state and nation that impact our efforts. Sierra Watershed Currents. This monthly service offers the latest information on watershed issues relevant to the Sierra. The bulletin offers grant notices, training & seminar notices, announcements of new resources, and news articles.Sierra Land Use News. This monthly publication presents information related to land use planning issues in the region. Land Use News includes updates on county general plan activities, leads on grants, event notices and news articles. Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Conference. This is THE conference of the year for Sierra conservationists. The conference includes sessions on key conservation issues in the region, talks by significant regional and state leaders, and workshops focused on building grassroots group capacity. In addition, the conference offers excellent networking with experts, scientists, agency staff and others who can help local efforts.
Providing a seat at the table on regional and statewide issues of importance.
The Alliance staff participate in major meetings and negotiations on behalf of the region – and look to member groups to guide the organization’s position. The Alliance polls member groups on issues, hosts conference calls to discuss strategies, and consults with local groups to shape regional strategies. The Alliance issues alerts and builds coalitions with our member groups on specific issues. For example, the Alliance ensured its member groups played a leading role in establishing the new Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The Alliance helped gain group endorsements of the effort, helped organize lobby days to bring grassroots leaders to the capitol, and hosted subregional conference calls to keep member groups abreast of board appointments.Offering financial support, and resources:
The Sierra Nevada Alliance has issued nine rounds of Future Fund Grants. These $500 to $1000 grants are awarded to select member organizations to support conservation projects and institution building. In addition, the Alliance raises money specifically to re-grant or contract out to member groups for a variety of conservation efforts in the Sierra. In 2004, the Alliance provided over $150,000 in contracts to grassroots groups to conduct watershed water quality monitoring and community demonstration restoration projects.Ensuring individual groups are never alone in their effort:
The Sierra Nevada Alliance forwards action alerts from our member groups. With one touch of our send button the Alliance distributes an electronic alert to over 500 active individuals who share our passion for natural resources and rural communities. The Sierra Nevada Alliance adds organizational support to individual efforts. Whether a letter to a board or commission, signing onto a collective letter, or testifying in support of an issue, the Alliance prioritizes helping its member groups’ campaigns. Offering the benefit of a broad collection of expertise. Member groups never have to reinvent the wheel. Groups can send a question or request for help to the Alliance network. Many of member groups have been around for fifteen years or more, in many cases growing from all-volunteer operations to well-staffed organizations. No one knows as well as an Alliance member group what it takes to organize on conservation issues in the Sierra.
